You CAN grow new teeth

By DEREK CLONTZ
Your World Report

A whopping 20 million Americans are missing all 32 of their natural teeth - and more than 100 million are missing 11-15 teeth.

But chopper-challenged patients will soon be growing replacements, say dentists, thanks to a major scientific breakthrough from Odontis Ltd, a cutting-edge research and development company formed by London's prestigious King’s College.

Odontis’ pioneering technology will allow the patient to grow natural replacement teeth instead of having a synthetic implant or wearing dentures.

In addition to avoiding surgical trauma, the patient will benefit from the psychological boost of having his own teeth.

The project is being masterminded by genetic research scientist Professor Paul Sharpe, Head of Division of Craniofacial Biology and Biomaterials of the Dental Institute at King's College.

His discovery is based on human stem cell technology.

Stem cells are taken from the patient, treated and cultured in a laboratory, then re-implanted in the patient’s jaw under the gum at the site of the missing or extracted tooth.

This then grows into a fully-formed, live tooth in the same way that teeth develop naturally.

In both the US and UK, adults aged over 50 lose on average 12 teeth, including four wisdom molars, from a full complement of 32 teeth.

Lost teeth can lead to problems with health, nutrition and appearance.

"A key medical advantage of our technology is that a living tooth can preserve the health of the surrounding tissues much better than artificial prosthesis," says Professor Sharpe.

"Teeth are living, and they are able to respond to a person’s bite. They move, and in doing so they maintain the health of the surrounding gums and teeth."

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